Method, system and apparatus for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/167,276 filed Feb. 4, 2021, which claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/447,256, filed Jun. 20,2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,914,293, issued Feb. 9, 2021, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.62/687,385, filed Jun. 20, 2018. The aforementioned applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to geothermal energy extraction, and morespecifically, to extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid.

BACKGROUND

Heat energy lies beneath the surface of the Earth, in the form ofgeothermal energy. With the core of the Earth believed to be over 5,000°C., there is enough heat stored from the original formation of the Earthand generated by ongoing radioactive decay to provide a vast supply ofenergy.

However, many problems commonly occur in attempting to utilizegeothermal energy relate to accessing the geothermal energy, as thesurface of the Earth is significantly cooler in temperature than theinterior portions of the Earth. The average geothermal gradient is about25° C. for every kilometer of depth below the Earth's surface.Accordingly, the temperature at the bottom of a well that is 5 km deepcan be approximately 125° C. or more.

In many cases, various entities can drill into the Earth for resources(e.g., oil) at similar depths (e.g., up to 12 km depths). However, tooperate in a well of these depths can be extremely resource-intensive.

Further, within a proximity to geological fault zones, fractures in theEarth's crust allow magma to come much closer to the surface. This maygive rise to geothermal landforms such as volcanoes, natural hotsprings, and geysers. As an example, in the seismically active LongValley Caldera of California, magma at a temperature more than 700° C.is believed to lie at a depth of only 6 km below the Earth's surface.Alternatively, if lower temperatures can be utilized, a well at a depthless than 1 km in a geothermal zone can achieve temperatures over 100°C. A well only 1 km deep often be much less resource-intensive thanoperating a deeper well.

At some sites, drilling may be unnecessary due to preexisting drillingactivities. As an example, previous oil-prospecting areas have left manysubterranean wells, where some of these wells may reach deep enoughbelow the surface of the Earth to capture geothermal heat. For thesewells, only surface infrastructure may need to be supplied to allow thissource of heat to be captured.

SUMMARY

The disclosed technology involves transferring heat energy from aclosed-loop briny fluid system to molten salt. The closed-loop brinyfluid system may include an extraction well and an injection wellextending deep into the Earth. The depth of the extraction and injectionwells can be a function of a geothermal temperature gradient. Brinyfluid extracted via the extraction well may be directed into a heatexchanger configured to transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to amolten salt system. Since a closed-loop system is used, all orsubstantially all briny fluid is returned to a geothermal source, viathe injection well, after extracting heat energy. The molten salt canstore heat energy for an extended period of time. The molten salt canalso be used to transport the stored heat energy to another location.For example, the molten salt can be used to transfer the stored heatenergy to a remote electric generating unit (EGU).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and characteristics of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from astudy of the following detailed description in conjunction with theappended claims and drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system to extract heat energyfrom geothermal briny fluids, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a briny fluid to molten salt heatextraction system, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a molten salt geothermal systemwith lithium extraction, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an energy collection system, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a briny fluid to molten saltgeothermal heat energy extraction system, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an industrial complex poweredsubstantially by geothermal energy, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a system to extract energy fromgeothermal briny fluids, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a geothermal heat extractionmanagement system, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method for collecting heatenergy from a briny fluid, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In many cases, geothermal technologies may result in scaling due toflash steam processing of briny fluid and may be unable to reinjectsubstantially all briny fluid back into a geothermal well afterextracting heat energy. Conventional geothermal technologies may beunable to store energy for later use and cannot transport heat to asecondary location for heat processes or electricity production.Further, these geothermal technologies may have a high likelihood oftoxic steam releases, especially during a plant shutdown.

The disclosed embodiments may solve the issues inherent in manygeothermal processes involving extraction of heat energy from geothermalbriny fluids. In an embodiment, heat energy is transferred from thebriny fluid to molten salt via a heat exchanger. In an embodiment, heatenergy is transferred directly from briny fluid to a rock bed. Energyextracted from the geothermal fluid can be used to heat electrodes in amolten silicon or molten glass storage tank. Heat energy can betransferred from the molten salt to thermal oil or hot water. In anembodiment, one or more materials (e.g., lithium) can be extracted fromthe briny fluid.

Since the briny fluid is not flash processed as in other techniques, theequipment is not limited by scaling results. In addition, a closed-loopsystem may be used so all or substantially all briny fluid is returnedto a geothermal well after extracting heat energy. Since, for example,heat energy may be transferred directly to molten salt, the molten saltcan store heat energy for an extended period of time. The molten saltcan also be used to transport the stored heat energy to anotherlocation. In addition, the molten salt can be used to transfer heat toother materials (e.g., thermal fluids). For example, the molten salt canbe used to transfer the stored heat energy to a remote electricgenerating unit (EGU).

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system to extract heat energyfrom geothermal briny fluids, in accordance with various embodiments.The embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 may employ a molten salt geothermalenergy collection system to extract heat energy from geothermal brinyfluids.

A geothermal resource can include briny fluid with a temperature rangeof 175° C.-800° C. The temperature of the briny fluid within thegeothermal resource can be a function of depth. Briny fluids in the 175°C.-800° C. range can be extracted through a production well 1 andchanneled through velocity control valves and pumps to enter into a HotBriny Fluid Inlet Pipe to Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 2that may transfer the heat from briny fluid to molten salt.

The velocity control valves, pumps, and related components can be madeof oxidation-corrosion-resistant materials such as, for example,stainless steel, Inconel alloys, or duplex piping. In an embodiment, theoxidation-corrosion-resistant materials can be predominantly made ofnon-ferrous metals such as, for example, chromium and/or nickel. Inaddition, the velocity control valves, pumps and related components canbe lined with corrosive resistant chemicals or materials such as, forexample, high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The velocity control valves and pumps can control pressure between theproduction well 1, briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10, andinjection well 3. For example, the velocity control valves and pumps canbe used to maintain constant pressure. To maintain a constant pressure,the valves and pumps can change the flow rate of the briny fluid basedon a series of sensors. The sensors can check flow rate of the brinyfluid at checkpoints in the system. In one embodiment, sensors can beincorporated at the base of the production well, before and after valvesand pumps, inside heat exchangers, and at the base of the injectionwell. If any of the sensors detect pressure (e.g., in psi) that is lessthan or more than the pressure inside the geothermal source, the sensorcan indicate to the valves and pumps to adjust the pressure. Forexample, the sensor at the base of the production well may indicate 900psi. However, the sensor at the base of the injection well may indicate500 psi. The sensor at the base of the injection well can then indicateto the valves and pumps to speed up the flow rate to match 900 psi. Insome embodiments, all valves and pumps incorporated in the system canact simultaneously. In other embodiments, some valves and pumps may actseparately from others.

The molten salt can include eutectic mixtures of different salts (e.g.,sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and/or calcium nitrate). The moltensalt may transfer from the briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10to the hot molten salt storage tank 7 via a first pipe 5.

Cold molten salt from a cold molten salt storage tank 8 may travel tothe briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10 via a second pipe 6.The cold molten salt may be heated at the briny fluid to molten saltheat exchanger 10 by the briny fluid, where the heated molten salt maybe pumped to hot molten salt storage tank 7 via the first pipe 5. Thehot molten salt in the hot molten storage tank 7 can be distributedthrough a facility (e.g., an industrial complex) and/or directed to anenergy generating unit. In an embodiment, graphite blocks with channelscan be used to absorb heat from the briny fluid and for heat energystorage.

In an embodiment, nano-particles can be added to the molten salt at anypoint in the closed-loop system. The thermal storage capacity of themolten salt and nano-particle mixture may be up to 30% higher than withmolten salt alone. Nano-particles include, for example, copper encrustedgraphite or graphene. For example, graphene can be added to molten saltin the hot molten salt tank or in the briny fluid to molten salt heatexchanger.

The briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10 may be used to transferheat from the extracted briny fluid to molten salt. The briny fluid andmolten salt can be separated, for example, by a thermally conductivewall. The thermally conductive wall can exhibit a thermally conductiveproperty at a high pressure. The thermally conductive wall can include,for example, copper, silver, diamond (e.g., pure, impure, and/orisotopically enriched), gold, aluminum, carbon fiber, stainless steeltitanium alloys, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, thethermally conductive wall can include a layer of isotopically enricheddiamond adjacent to a briny fluid chamber and a layer of copper adjacentto a molten salt chamber. The isotopically enriched diamond layer can beused adjacent to the briny fluid chamber to reduce corrosion whilemaintaining a high thermal conductivity.

In one embodiment, the briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can sense thetemperature of both the briny fluid and the molten salt. Once thetemperature of the briny fluid, molten salt, or both have reachedpre-set values, the system can move the, now heated, molted salt to thehot molten salt tank. In addition, the system can move cold briny fluidinto the injection well and pump hot briny fluid into the heatexchanger. For example, the threshold value for molten salt to move intothe hot molten salt tank can be 300° C. Once the temperature sensordetects that the molten salt has reached 300° C., the temperature sensorcan provide an indication to move the hot molten salt into the hotmolten salt tank 7 and to let cold molten salt into the briny fluid tomolten salt heat exchanger 10.

After the heat is extracted from the briny fluid that entered the brinyfluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10, the briny fluid may getreinjected back into the resource. So far, the briny fluid came up,transfers heat to molten salt or rock bed, and is reinjected into thegeothermal resource. In one embodiment, the cold molten salt from thecold molten salt storage tank 8 entered the heat exchanger 10, isheated, and then pumped to the hot molten salt storage tank 7. In anembodiment, the heated molten salt is used to heat thermal fluids suchas, for example, thermal oil and water. Now the molten salt may be readyto go through the molten salt to distilled water heat exchanger.

Hot molten salt may enter the molten salt to distilled water heatexchanger 20 via a third pipe 9. The steam produced from the molten saltto distilled water heat exchanger 20 may be then routed to a steamturbine 50 or GenSet via a fourth pipe 21 to produce electricity.

The steam may go through a condenser/cooling tower 23 to turn intowater, so it can then repeat the molten salt to distilled water loop.The steam may be routed through a fifth pipe 17 to Molten Salt toThermal Oil Heat Exchanger 30, through a sixth pipe 18, to Molten Saltto Hot Water Heat Exchanger 40, and back to cold molten salt storagetank 8 where it waits to be reheated by hot briny fluid.

The steam may be routed to thermal oil storage tank 32 via a seventhpipe 31 and routed to Cooled Thermal Oil Storage Tank 34 via an eighthpipe 33. The cooled thermal oil may be routed to Cooled Thermal Oil toCold Thermal Oil Storage Tank 36 via a ninth pipe 35.

From the molten salt to hot water heat exchanger 40, hot water may berouted to hot water storage tank 42 via a tenth pipe 41. The hot watermay be routed from hot water storage tank 42 to hot water system 44 viaan eleventh pipe 43. Cooled water may be routed to cold water storagetank 46 via a twelfth pipe 45. The cooled water may route back to moltensalt to hot water heat exchanger 40 via a thirteenth pipe 47.

The steam turbine 50 may rotate a rotor 51, which allows for a generator52 to provide electrical energy, where a transformer 53 transformelectrical energy and facilitate the transmission of three phaseelectricity 55 to the grid.

In an embodiment, the energy collection system can include a moltensilicon heat exchanger 62. Electrodes (e.g., using electricity producedby the geothermal power plant) can be heated up in molten siliconstorage tank 60 to up to 2000° C. The molten silicon can be used in aheat exchanger 62 with molten salt to get the molten salt up to a higherworking temperature like 1000° C. In an embodiment, molten glass can beused in the heat sink. Molten glass can be heated to up to 1200° C. bythe electrodes. The molten salt may be sent back to hot molten saltstorage 7 via return pipes 64, 65.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a briny fluid to molten salt heatextraction system, in accordance with various embodiments. Theembodiment as shown in FIG. 2 may include a briny fluid to molten saltheat extraction system different thermal fluid loops such as, forexample, thermal oil and hot water loops. By using different thermalfluids, the system can have a wide range of applications and canincrease efficiency. Closed-loop thermal oil heat exchangers and closedloop hot water heat exchangers can be incorporated into the system toserve heat processes that utilize various temperatures ranges. Forexample, thermal oil can be circulated, through thermal ovens, in themolten salt to water heat exchanger. By circulating thermal oil, theamount of steam produced can be maximized.

Hot Briny fluid may be gathered from production well 1 and transferredto briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10 via a first pipe 2. Hotmolten salt from briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger 10 may besent to hot molten salt storage 7 via a second pipe 5. Cold molten saltmay be transferred between cold molten salt storage 8 and briny fluid tomolten salt heat exchanger 10 via a third pipe 6.

Molten salt may be transferred to molten salt to hot water for steamheat exchanger 20 via a fourth pipe 9. Molten Salt to Hot Water forSteam Heat Exchanger 20 may power Steam Turbine 50 via fifth pipe 21.Steam turbine 50 may power rotor 51, generator 52, transformer 53, andthree phase electricity to grid 54.

Cooled steam may transfer from steam turbine 50 to Condenser or CoolingTower 23 via sixth pipe 22 and back to Molten Salt to Hot Water forSteam Heat Exchanger 20 via a seventh pipe 24. Molten salt may transferfrom Molten Salt to Steam Heat Exchanger 20 to Molten Salt to ThermalOil Heat Exchanger 30 via eighth pipe 25.

Thermal oil may transfer between Molten Salt to Thermal Oil HeatExchanger 30 and Thermal Oil Storage Tank 32 via a ninth pipe 31. Thethermal oil may transfer between Thermal Oil Storage Tank 32 and ThermalOil System 34 via a tenth pipe 33. Cooled thermal oil may transfer fromThermal Oil System 34 to Cooled Thermal Oil Storage Tank 36 via eleventhpipe 35. Cooled thermal oil may transfer from Cooled Thermal Oil StorageTank 36 back to Molten Salt to Thermal Oil Heat Exchanger 30 via twelfthpipe 37.

Molten salt may transfer between Molten Salt to Thermal Oil HeatExchanger 30 and Molten Salt to Hot Water Heat Exchanger 40 viathirteenth pipe 38. Hot water may transfer between Molten Salt to HotWater Heat Exchanger 40 and Hot Water Storage Tank 42 via fourteenthpipe 41. Hot water may transfer between Hot Water Storage Tank 42 andHot Water System 44 via fifteenth pipe 43. Water may transfer betweenHot Water System 44 and Cold Water Storage Tank 46 via sixteenth pipe45. Water may transfer between Cold Water Storage Tank 46 and MoltenSalt to Hot Water Heat Exchanger 40 via eighteenth pipe 47.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a molten salt geothermal systemwith lithium extraction, in accordance with various embodiments. In anembodiment, the energy collection system is used to extract lithium fromthe briny fluid. After the briny fluid goes through the briny fluid tomolten salt heat exchanger and before it gets injected back into theresource, the briny fluid may go through the lithium extraction process.

As shown in FIG. 3, hot briny fluid may be sent from a production well 1to a Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 via a first pipe 3.Cold molten salt may be stored in Cold Molten Salt Storage 14 andtransferred to Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 via a secondpipe 19. Hot molten salt may transfer from Briny Fluid to Molten SaltHeat Exchanger 10 to Hot Molten Salt Storage 12 via a third pipe 11. Hotmolten salt may transfer from Hot Molten Salt Storage 12 to Molten Saltto Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 20 via a fourth pipe 13.

The Molten Salt to Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 20 may generatesteam for steam turbine 50. The steam turbine 50 may rotate a rotor 51,which allows for a generator 52 to provide electrical energy, where atransformer 54 transform electrical energy and facilitate thetransmission of three phase electricity 55 to the grid. Steam maytransfer from steam turbine 50 to condenser/cooling tower 23 via a fifthpipe 22, and from condenser/cooling tower 23 to Molten Salt to Hot Waterfor Steam Heat Exchanger 20 via a sixth pipe 24. Molten salt may travelfrom Molten Salt to Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 20 to cold moltensalt storage tank 14 via a seventh pipe 16.

Briny fluid from Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 maytransfer to Lithium Extractor 70 via an eighth pipe 5. From the LithiumExtractor 70, Briny Fluid may transfer to injection well 2 via a ninthpipe 4.

In an embodiment, the energy collection system includes a magneticlithium extractor configured to maintain a pressure of the closed-loopsystem. Although lithium can respond to a magnetic force independently,lithium's response is relatively small compared to other metals. Toincrease lithium's magnetic response, and thus increase magneticextraction, a dopant can be injected into the briny fluid. For example,the magnetic lithium extractor can inject iron into the briny fluid.Lithium is highly reactive and can form an iron-doped compound (e.g.,iron-doped lithium oxide, iron-doped lithium titanium oxide, etc.). Thelithium compound can vary based on constituents of the briny fluid. Amagnet can exert an attractive force on the iron-doped lithium compoundto draw the iron-doped lithium compound toward an extraction well.

The extraction well can include two doors. During magnetic lithiumcollection, a closed-loop facing door can remain open and an outwardfacing door can remain closed. Once magnetic collection is complete, theclosed-loop facing door closes to seal the iron-doped lithium within theextraction well. Once the closed-loop facing door closes, the outwardfacing door can open so that the collected iron-doped lithium can beprocessed and purified. Since the closed-loop facing door and outwardfacing door are not open at the same time, pressure within theclosed-loop system remains substantially constant.

One system can transfer heat from briny fluid to molten salt and frommolten salt to steam and steam to electricity. Another system can add amolten silicon or molten glass heat sink. Another system adds thermaloil and hot water loops. Another system can add lithium extractionbefore the briny fluid is reinjected. The heat transfer from briny fluidto molten salt and from molten salt to steam and steam to electricity,the molten silicon or molten glass heat sink, thermal oil and hot waterloops, and lithium extraction can occur simultaneously, one at a time,or any combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an energy collection system, inaccordance with various embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theenergy collection system can include one or more Briny Fluid from Wellto Briny Fluid/Molten Salt Heat Exchangers 3 that are sent to BrinyFluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 via a first pipe 4. Hot moltensalt may transfer between Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10and Hot MS Storage Tank 12 via a second pipe 11. Cold molten salt maytransfer between Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 and coldmolten salt storage tank 14 via a third pipe 19. Molten salt maytransfer between Hot MS Storage tank 12 and Molten Salt/Hot Water forSteam Heat Exchanger 20 via a fourth pipe 13.

Hot water may transfer from Molten Salt/Hot Water for Steam HeatExchanger 20 and GenSet via fifth pipe 21. GenSet 50 may powertransformer 54. Water from Steam Turbine may be sent to Condensers orCooling Towers 23 via a sixth pipe 22 and back to Molten Salt/Hot Waterfor Steam Heat Exchanger 20 via seventh pipe 24. Cold molten salt may besent back to cold MS storage tank 14 via eighth pipe 16.

In an embodiment, the energy collection system can include a thermalvacuum chamber (TVC). A TVC is a vacuum chamber in which a radiativethermal environment is controlled. A controlled environment is createdby removing air and other gases by a vacuum pump. By removing the airand other gases, a low-pressure and temperature-controlled environmentis created within the chamber an efficient heat transfer mechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a briny fluid to molten saltgeothermal heat energy extraction system, in accordance with variousembodiments. The energy extraction system can include a production well,a briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger, one or more molten salttanks, and an injection well.

A closed-loop briny fluid system may extend from the production well,through the fluid to molten salt heat exchanger, and through theinjection well. Briny fluid traveling through the closed-loop fluidsystem maintains an approximately constant pressure (e.g., approximatelythe pressure at a depth from which it is extracted). The closed-loopbriny fluid system includes a number of pumps to direct the briny fluidthrough the system and to maintain a constant pressure. Since thepressure at the top of the closed-loop system is approximately equal tothe pressure with the geothermal source, pumps can be used to inducebriny fluid movement through the closed-loop system.

Velocity control valves and pumps maintain a substantially constantpressure between the top of the close-loop system and the geothermalsource. Velocity control valves and pumps can be regulated by sensorswithin the system, as mentioned before. For example, sensors can beplaced at the top of the closed-loop system and in the geothermalsource. If the sensors detect a variation in pressure, the velocitycontrol valves and pump can be used to match the pressure. In addition,the velocity control valves and pumps can be controlled simultaneouslyor separately, based on need.

The production well can be constructed in a pre-drilled well (e.g., fromearlier fossil fuel extraction) or drilled at a new site. A conventionaldrilling technique can be used to drill the well such as, for example,reverse circulation drilling, diamond core drilling, direct pushdrilling, hydraulic rotary drilling, hydrothermal spallation, or anycombination thereof. After a well is drilled, a casing (e.g., a titaniumalloy casing) can be cemented in place by pumping cement into an annulus(e.g., the region between the casing and surrounding rock formation).The casing can include titanium alloy to reduce corrosion fromparticularly corrosive briny fluid. The casing and cement of theproduction can prevent the production well from expanding or bucklingwhen under pressure from the high-pressure briny fluid. The casing canextend from the production zone of the geothermal source to the surfaceof the ground.

The production well is used to extract briny fluid heated by the naturalheat of the earth. Geothermal fluids may include hot water with a totaldissolved solid concentration exceeding 350,000 parts per million (aboutan order of magnitude above sea water). Conventional extractiontechniques involve using the pressure differential between a geothermalsource and ground level to extract geothermal fluids which can cause thehot water to turn to steam as it reaches ground level. Since thedisclosed technique employs a closed-loop system with approximatelyconsistent pressure, the hot water can remain hot water without turningto steam. The production well can include a pump located near groundlevel to extract briny fluid from the geothermal source.

The one or more molten salt tanks can store “cold” molten salt (i.e.,molten salt prior to entering heat exchanger) and “hot” molten salt(i.e., molten salt after exiting heat exchanger). In an embodiment, asingle molten salt tank with a divider plate can be used between coldmolten salt storage and hot molten salt. The divider plate can include anon-thermally conductive material, such as, for example, manganese,basalt fiber, or basalt coatings. For example, the divider plate caninclude a first manganese layer, an air gap, and a second manganeselayer.

In an embodiment, separate molten salt tanks can be used to store thecold and hot molten salt separately. Walls of the storage containers caninclude a substantially non-thermally conductive material such as, forexample, manganese, basalt fiber, or basalt coatings. The storagecontainers can include an insulation layer sandwiched between one ormore other layers. The insulation layer can include, for example, a gas(e.g., air), ceramic fiber, mineral wool, or any combination thereof.

Briny fluid cooled after exiting the heat exchanger can be injected backinto the geothermal formation via the injection well. Injecting thebriny fluid back into the geothermal formation can help to maintainreservoir pressure and ensure that the heat energy resource is notdepleted. An injection well can be formed using techniques analogous tothose used for the production well. The injection well can include oneor more pumps to direct the briny fluid down into the geothermalformation. Since the pressure of the briny fluid is approximately equalto the geothermal formation, the energy required to pump the fluid backdown into the formation may be significantly less than for conventionaltechniques.

The system as described herein may be shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG.5, the complex may include any of Silicon Carbide/Boron Carbide Plant80, Steel Forge/Metal Recycling/Glass Recycling 90, Basalt Fiber Plant100, Ceramics Plant 110, Brick Plant 120, Tile Plant 130, Isoprene Plant140, Desalination Plant 150, Pyrolysis Plant for Waste Recycling andAlgae to BioOil 160, Textiles Plant 170, Automobile Kiln for DryingPaint 180, Dehydrating Plant 190, Food Processing Plant 200, Bakery 210,Cold Storage Facility/ Ice Manufacturing 220, Algae Farm 230, TilapiaFarm 240, Beverage Manufacturing Plant 250.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an industrial complex poweredsubstantially by geothermal energy, in accordance with variousembodiments. The geothermal energy can provide energy to, for example,steam generators. The industrial complex also includes a closed-loopmolten salt distribution system. The industrial complex can includecomponents such as, for example, a production well, injection well,briny fluid to molten salt heat exchanger, and molten salt to water heatexchanger. In addition, substantially all energy required to power theindustrial complex can be made within the complex. For example, theenergy generated by the steam generators can be used to power theinfrastructure of the complex (e.g., lighting, temperature control).

In one embodiment, in order to maximize energy production and efficiencyof the industrial complex, sand, fire brick and ferro alloy materialscan be incorporated into the building materials of the complex. Forexample, heat exchangers can be made of ferro alloy materials, pipingcan be insulated by sand or any element (e.g., pipes) running along orunderneath the ground can be surrounded by fire brick.

The system as described herein may be shown in FIG. 6 to deliver salt toend user in pipes 66, 67. As shown in FIG. 6, the complex may includeany of Silicon Carbide/Boron Carbide Plant 80, Steel Forge/MetalRecycling/Glass Recycling 90, Basalt Fiber Plant 100, Ceramics Plant110, Brick Plant 120, Tile Plant 130, Isoprene Plant 140, DesalinationPlant 150, Pyrolysis Plant for Waste Recycling and Algae to Bio0i1 160,Textiles Plant 170, Automobile Kiln for Drying Paint 180, DehydratingPlant 190, Food Processing Plant 200, Bakery 210, Cold Storage Facility/Ice Manufacturing 220, Algae Farm 230, Tilapia Farm 240.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a system to extract energy fromgeothermal briny fluids, in accordance with various embodiments. A brinyfluid may be extracted from Production Well 1 and Briny Fluid Manifoldwith Six Production Wells 5 via Briny Fluid from Well to Manifold pipe3. Briny fluid is sent from Briny Fluid Manifold with Six ProductionWells 5 to Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 via Briny FluidInlet Pipe to Briny Fluid Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 7. Hot Briny fluidis sent from Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10 to Hot MSStorage Tank 12 via Pipe from Briny Fluid to MS Heat Exchanger to Hot MSStorage 11. Hot Molten salt is sent from Hot MS Storage Tank 12 toMolten Salt/Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 20 via Hot MS StoragePipe to MS/Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 13.

Hot water may transfer from Molten Salt/Hot Water for Steam HeatExchanger 20 to GenSet 50 via Steam Pipe to GenSet 21. Genset 50 maypower Rotor 51 and Generator 52 and provide Electricity 53 toTransformer 54 and to Conduit with High Voltage to Transformers and EndUsers 55.

Conduit 55 may provide power to any of Silicon Carbide/Boron CarbidePlant 80, Steel Forge/Metal Recycling/Glass Recycling 90, Basalt FiberPlant 100, Ceramics Plant 110, Brick Plant 120, Tile Plant 130, IsoprenePlant 140, Desalination Plant 150, Pyrolysis Plant for Waste Recyclingand Algae to Bio0i1 160, Textiles Plant 170, Automobile Kiln for DryingPaint 180, Dehydrating Plant 190, Food Processing Plant 200, Bakery 210,Cold Storage Facility/ Ice Manufacturing 220, Algae Farm 230, TilapiaFarm 240, and Beverage Manufacturing Plant 250.

Hot water may be sent from Genset 50 to Condensers or Cooling Towers 23via Pipe carrying Hot Water from Steam Turbine to Condensers or CoolingTowers 22. Cold water may be sent from Condensers or Cooling Towers 23to Molten Salt/Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 20 via Cold WaterReturn to MS/Hot Water for Steam Heat Exchanger 24.

Molten salt may be sent from Molten Salt/Hot Water for Steam HeatExchanger 20 to MS/Thermal Oil Heat Exchanger 30 via Pipe from MS toSteam Heat Ex. to Thermal Oil Heat Ex. 15. Thermal oil may be sent fromMS/Thermal Oil Heat Exchanger 30 to Hot Thermal Oil Storage Tank 32 viaPipe Hot Thermal Oil to Hot Thermal Oil Storage Tank 31, and from HotThermal Oil Storage Tank 32 to Thermal Oil System 34 via Pipe from HotThermal Oil Storage Tank to Thermal Oil System 33, and from Thermal OilSystem 34 to Hot Thermal Oil to End Users 35. Thermal Oil is sent toCold Thermal Oil Storage 38 via Cold Thermal Oil Return Pipe 36 andReturn Pipe Thermal Oil System to Cold Thermal Oil Storage 37. ThermalOil may be sent to MS/Hot Water Heat Exchanger 40 via Return Pipe ColdThermal Oil Storage to MS/Thermal Oil Heat X 39.

Hot water may be sent from MS/Hot Water Heat Exchanger 40 to Hot WaterStorage Tank 42 via Pipe from MS/Hot Water to Hot Water Storage Tank 41,and to Hot Water System 44 via Pipe from Hot Water Storage Tank to HotWater System 43. Water may be sent via Pipe Hot Water from System to EndUsers 45 and be returned via Return Water from End Users to Hot WaterSystem 46. Cold water may be sent to Cold Water Storage 48 via ColdWater Return Pipe to Cold Water Storage 47, and to MS/Hot Water HeatExchanger 40 via Return Pipe from Cold Water Storage to MS/Hot WaterHeat X 49.

Molten silicon may be sent from Molten Silicon to Molten Salt HeatExchanger 60 to Molten Si Return Pipe to Molten Si Storage 62 via Pipefrom Molten Si Storage to Molten Si /Molten Salt Heat X 61. Molten saltmay be sent to Hot Molten Salt Pipe to Molten Si/ Molten Salt HeatExchanger 63 to Cold MS Return Pipe from End Users to Molten Salt/ MSiHeat X 64. The system may include Molten Silicon Storage with HeatingElectrodes 65, where hot molten salt is sent via Hot Molten SaltDistribution Pipe to End Users 66 and returned via Cold Molten SaltReturn Pipe from End Users 67.

Cold molten salt may be stored at Cold Molten Salt Storage Tank 14.Molten salt may be sent via Pipe from MS/Thermal Oil Heat Ex. to MS/HotWater Heat Ex. 17 and Cold MS Pipe from MS/Water Heat Ex. to Cold MSStorage 18 and returned to Briny Fluid to Molten Salt Heat Exchanger 10via Return Pipe Cold MS Storage to Briny Fluid /MS Heat Exchanger 19.Briny fluid can be sent to Briny Fluid Manifold with Six Injection Wells6 via Pipe from Briny Fluid MS Heat Exchanger to Injection Manifold 8,and to Injection Well 2 via Briny Fluid from Manifold to Injection Well4.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a geothermal heat extractionmanagement system, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown inFIG. 8, the system may include a first pressure sensor 1 configured todetect a first pressure disposed within a geothermal source. The systemmay include a pump 2 disposed within the extraction well and a secondpressure sensor 3 disposed within the extraction well to detect a secondpressure. The system may include a Heat exchanger 4 configured totransfer heat between briny fluid and molten salt. The system mayinclude a processor 5 connected to pump and heat exchanger. Theprocessor 5 may be configured to analyze the difference in pressurereadings between the first pressure sensor and the second pressuresensor and instruct the pump to adjust a first pressure within theextraction well to match a second pressure within the geothermal sourceby increasing or decreasing a flow rate of the briny fluid inside theextraction well.

The system may include a pressure sensor 6 to attach to both first andsecond pressure sensors 1, 3 and a raising and lowering suspension cable7 for the pump and sensors and an Electrical cable 8 for the pump.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method for collecting heatenergy from a briny fluid, in accordance with various embodiments. Themethod may include receiving, by a first set of heat exchangers, thebriny fluid from geothermal source via a production well (block 902).

The method may include transferring, by the first set of heatexchangers, heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt, whereinthe briny fluid remains in a closed-loop system apart from the moltensalt (block 904).

The method may include pumping the molten salt to a hot molten saltstorage tank (block 906).

The method may include returning the briny fluid to the geothermalsource via an injection well (block 908).

In some embodiments, the method includes transferring the molten saltfrom the hot molten salt storage tank to a second set of heat exchangersconfigured to power a steam turbine.

In some embodiments the molten salt causes water to turn to steam viathe second set of heat exchangers, wherein the steam causes the turbineto rotate.

In some embodiments the steam is directed to a condenser and coolingtower.

In some embodiments the steam is condensed and redirected back to theturbine as water to receive heat energy from the second set of heatexchangers.

In some embodiments the molten salt heated by the transferred heatenergy from the briny fluid is delivered to one or more regions in anindustrial park.

In some embodiments the molten salt, subsequent to releasing heat energyto the industrial park, is delivered back to the first set of heatexchangers to cause the molten salt to repeat the transferring of heatenergy from the briny fluid to the molten salt.

In some embodiments, the first set of heat exchangers control a velocityof the briny fluid.

In some embodiments, the briny fluid includes a temperature betweenapproximately 195° C. and 800° C.

In some embodiments, the molten salt flow rate is controlled by velocitycontrol valves and pumps.

In some embodiments, the molten salt flow rate is monitored by sensors,which provide feedback to the velocity control valves and pumps, whichthen maintain a maintained pressure approximately equivalent to apressure inside of the geothermal source.

In some embodiments, the molten salt is mixed with nano-particles.

In some embodiments, the molten salt and the briny fluid are separatedby a basalt-based partition.

In another embodiment, a method for collecting heat energy from a brinyfluid includes receiving, by a first set of heat exchangers, the brinyfluid from a production well. The method may also include transferring,by the first set of heat exchangers, heat energy from the briny fluid toa molten salt, wherein the briny fluid remains in a first closed-loopsystem apart from the molten salt. The method may also include pumpingthe molten salt to a hot molten salt storage tank. The method may alsoinclude transferring, by a second set of heat exchangers, heat energyfrom the molten salt to a thermal fluid, wherein the molten salt remainsin a second closed-loop system apart from the thermal fluid. The methodmay also include returning the briny fluid to a geothermal source via aninjection well.

In some embodiments, the second set of heat exchangers exchange heatenergy from the molten salt to thermal oil.

In some embodiments, the second set of heat exchangers exchange heatenergy from the molten salt to water. a maintained pressureapproximately equivalent to a pressure inside of the geothermal sourceis maintained by velocity control valves and pumps.

In some embodiments, the maintained pressure is read by sensors, whichprovide feedback to the velocity control valves and pumps.

In another embodiment, a method for collecting heat energy from a brinyfluid includes receiving, by a first set of heat exchangers, the brinyfluid from a production well. The method may also include transferring,by the first set of heat exchangers, heat energy from the briny fluid toa molten salt, wherein the briny fluid remains in a first closed-loopsystem apart from the molten salt. The method may also include pumpingthe molten salt to a hot molten salt storage tank. The method may alsoinclude transferring, by a second set of heat exchangers, heat energyfrom the molten salt to a molten silicon or a molten glass, wherein themolten salt remains in a second closed-loop system apart from the moltensilicon or the molten glass. The method may also include returning thebriny fluid to a geothermal source via an injection well.

In some embodiments, the second set of heat exchangers, includeelectrodes which use energy created within the second closed-loopsystem.

In some embodiments, wherein a maintained pressure approximatelyequivalent to a pressure inside of the geothermal source is maintainedby velocity control valves and pumps.

In some embodiments, the maintained pressure is read by sensors, whichprovide feedback to the velocity control valves and pumps.

In some embodiments, the method includes transferring, by the second setof heat exchangers, heat energy from the molten salt to electricalenergy, wherein said transferring heat energy from the molten salt tothe molten silicon or a molten glass includes heating the molten siliconor the molten glass using an electrical resistance coil that includesthe electrical energy.

In some embodiments, a state of the molten silicon or molten glassincludes a liquid or a solid, and wherein any of the molten silicon ormolten glass is mixed with nano-particles.

In another embodiment, a geothermal heat collection apparatus comprisesa heat exchanger configured to transfer heat energy between a brinyfluid and a molten salt, the briny fluid being drawn from a geothermalaquifer via a production well, wherein the briny fluid remains in aclosed-loop system apart from the molten salt, the closed-loop systemextending from the production well to an injection well. The apparatusmay also include a molten salt storage tank configured to receive themolten salt heated by the heat exchanger. The apparatus may also includethe injection well configured to return the briny fluid to thegeothermal aquifer, wherein the closed-loop system maintains anapproximately constant pressure from the production well to theinjection well.

In another embodiment, a geothermal heat extraction management systemcomprises a pump disposed within an extraction well. The system may alsoinclude a first pressure sensor disposed within a geothermal source. Thesystem may also include a second pressure sensor disposed within theextraction well. The system may also include a heat exchanger configuredto transfer heat energy between briny fluid and molten salt. The systemmay also include a processor connected to the pump and the heatexchanger, the processor configured to analyze the difference inpressure readings between the first pressure sensor and the secondpressure sensor, instruct the pump to adjust a first pressure within theextraction well to match a second pressure within the geothermal sourceby increasing or decreasing a flow rate of the briny fluid inside theextraction well.

In addition to the above-mentioned examples, various other modificationsand alterations of the invention may be made without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the above disclosure is not to be considered aslimiting and the appended claims are to be interpreted as encompassingthe true spirit and the entire scope of the invention.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method comprising: providing a geothermal well ofsufficient depth where the ambient temperature is above 100 degreescelcius; pumping molten salt through a closed-loop system that exchangesheat with a first working fluid associated with the geothermal well,wherein the molten salt absorbs heat from the the first working fluid;and transfering the heat of the molten salt to a second working fluidthat operates a turbine.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein saidtransfering is performed by a first set of heat exchangers.
 23. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising: pumping the molten salt from anenergy production facility to a molten salt storage tank.
 24. The methodof claim 22, wherein said transfering results in the generation of steamfrom the second working fluid, and the method further comprising:directing the steam to a condenser and cooling tower.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, further comprising: collecting cooled water from the condenserand cooling tower; and redirecting the cooled water back to the firstset of heat exchangers.
 26. The method of claim 21, further including:maintaining a constant pressure of the first working fluid within afluid closed-loop system.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein a topatmospheric pressure value is approximately equal to a bottomatmospheric pressure value within the geothermal well.
 28. A systemcomprising: a first closed-loop fluid system associated with ageothermal well of sufficient depth where the ambient temperature isabove 100 degrees celcius, wherein the first closed-loop system includesa first working fluid; a second closed-loop fluid system including amolten salt; a first set of heat exchangers that transfer heat from thefirst working fluid of the first closed-loop fluid system to the moltensalt of the second closed-loop system; and a second set of heatexchangers that transfer heat from the molten salt to a second workingfluid, wherein the second working fluid operates a turbine.
 29. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein pressure within the second closed-loopsystem is maintained at a constant value.
 30. The system of claim 28,wherein the second closed-loop system pumps the molten salt from anenergy production facility to a molten salt storage tank.
 31. The systemof claim 29, wherein transfer of heat from the molten salt to the secondworking fluid results in the generation of steam from the second workingfluid, the system further including: a condenser and cooling tower thatrecieves the steam.
 32. The system of claim 31, wherein steam condensedinto water in the condenser and cooling tower is redirected to thesecond set of heat exchangers.
 33. The system of claim 28, whereinpressure within the first closed-loop system is maintained at a constantvalue.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein a top atmospheric pressurevalue is approximately equal to a bottom atmospheric pressure valuewithin the geothermal well.
 35. A method for generating power from ageothermal well, the method comprising: facilitating heat transferbetween two closed fluid systems wherein a first closed system operateswithin the geothermal well and the second closed system operates atsurface level; and maintaining a constant pressure within the two closedfluid systems while respective working fluids exchnage heat via a seriesof pumps.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the a briny fluid acts asa first working fluid of the first closed system and a molten salt actsas a second working fluid in the second closed system.
 37. The method ofclaim 35, wherein the geothermal well is a pre-drilled well that waspreviously constructed for a non-geothermal energy production purpose.38. The method of claim 35, wherein a top atmospheric pressure value isapproximately equal to a bottom atmospheric pressure value within thegeothermal well.
 39. The method of claim 35, further comprising:operating a turbine via steam egnerated by heat exchnaged from thesecond closed system and a resevoir.